From the Rhine to the Dutch Waterways: Lelystad to Mainz

Spread out over 70 islands, the cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam has 60 miles of canals and 1000 bridges. As early as the 13th century, tiny ships sailed from this port into the challenging Zuider Sea. Amsterdam gained renown in the 15th century when it became a major trading centre, steadily assuming commercial leadership and thus controlling the country’s finances, a trend that remains to this day.

On this tour you will be accompanied by an expert local guide as you discover the city via one of its popular glass-topped canal boats. Sit back and relax as you sail gently past some of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings, from narrow-fronted gabled houses to much larger properties still displaying the riches of Holland’s famous Golden Age. You will also hear a little about the poignant life of one of the city's most well-known former inhabitants, Anne Frank, as you pass by the house where she and her family spent two years hiding from Nazi persecution. 

You will also pass the wooden double drawbridge known locally as the "Skinny Bridge" before returning to your ship.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: Expect to walk approximately 550 yards in total over flat ground with the possibility of cobblestones. During this excursion there is a total standing and/or walking time of approximately 15 minutes. There is also a small number of steps to access the pontoon to board the canal cruise boat and several steps on and off the boat itself. The sights passed on this tour, including Anne Frank's House, may vary depending on the traffic on the canals and the route taken by the Captain. Depending on your ship's mooring, you may have a short coach transfer before and after joining the canal cruise.

1½ hours

This panoramic tour takes in the sights of Rotterdam, giving you the opportunity to relax on a scenic drive before exploring further on foot. First, you will board the coach, accompanied by a local guide who will point out the highlights of this modern city as you travel. During the journey, pass by the old harbour in Delfshaven with a short stop, and admire the contrasting scenery of Weena Street lined by modern sky-rise architecture. 

Next, drive through Coolsingel where you can catch a glimpse of Rotterdam City Hall and the World Trade Centre. Stopping next at the expansive market square, you will alight your coach for the short walk to visit one of Rotterdam's most famous landmarks, the bright yellow cube houses designed by Piet Blom. Finish with some free time on foot to explore the popular Market Hall before once again returning to the ship by coach. 

Alternatively, dependent on your cruise itinerary, you may choose to remain at the Market Hall to explore further at your own pace and make your way back to the ship independently.

Walking Grade 2

2½ hours

On this walking tour of Boppard, you will pass historic buildings at every turn, giving you a great insight into the wealth of Roman history that lies here. Accompanied by your guide, you will hear about the city’s link as one of the most important settlements during this period; then, make your way on foot to the Gothic-style Carmelite church dating back to the 14th century. 

Afterwards, you can enjoy the view of the imposing two-towered church of St Severus, home to painted wall scenes built over the Roman military baths in the 13th century. Before you return to the ship, you can also follow along the banks of the Rhine to explore the Roman fort of Bodobrica, passing rows of old half-timbered houses in the centre of the town. 

At the end of the tour your guide will accompany you back to your ship or alternatively, dependent on your cruise itinerary, you may have the opportunity to stay in the centre to explore further and return independently.

Walking Grade 4

Please note:Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half miles in total over flat ground which will be cobbled in places with the possibility of some steps. There will be total standing and/or walking time of approximately one-and-a-half hours.

1½ hours

For those who prefer a more leisurely pace of exploration, this tour offers the opportunity to join your knowledgeable guide for a stroll directly from the ship through the heart of the pretty town of Boppard at a gentle pace. Along the way you will be able to enjoy expert commentary about the area and its history. Although primarily this small town in the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rhine Gorge is famous for its production of Reisling wines, with a past dating back over 2000 years there is plenty more for you to discover.

At the end of the tour your guide will accompany you back to your ship or alternatively, dependent on your cruise itinerary, you may have the opportunity to stay in the centre to explore further and return independently.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: Expect to walk approximately three-quarters of a mile in total over flat ground which will be cobbled in places with the possibility of some steps. There will be a total standing and/or walking time of approximately 60 minutes with regular stops, although during these seating is not guaranteed.

1 hour

On this tour you will firstly set off by coach for the short transfer to the Dutch National Maritime Museum. On arrival you will be joined by your expert local guide to begin the dive into the Netherlands' rich maritime history.

Set in a stunning, historic naval warehouse, the museum showcases impressive exhibits on Dutch naval exploration, trade, and life at sea. Highlights include the replica of the Amsterdam, an 18th-century East India Company ship, and interactive displays that bring maritime stories to life for all ages. The museum provides a fascinating perspective on how the sea shaped Dutch culture, economy, and global connections over centuries.

After a guided tour of approximately one hour, you will then have some free time to explore your chosen exhibits further independently before your return transfer to the ship.

Walking Grade 3

Please Note: You should expect to walk approximately one mile at a gentle pace over level ground. There are frequent steps within the museum, however a lift is available to all levels if required. There is a total walking and/or standing time of approximately two hours.

3½ hours

Following a coach journey of approximately 45 minutes, with commentary from an expert guide along the way, you will arrive at the Hague, the seat of the government and home to the Royal Family of the Netherlands. Also known as the International City of Peace and Justice, the city is host to the United Nations and 160 other organisations dedicated to world peace.

As you will learn from your guide, the city features beautiful squares, a huge market open every other day, and many historic buildings, including the Peace Palace, the Royal residence Huis ten Bosch Palace and Biennenhof, housing the Dutch Parliament. After a short orientation tour by coach you will alight for the short walk to the Maurithuis museum, which exhibits some of the most famous paintings by Dutch Masters, such as Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.

You will have approximately two hours to explore the museum and surrounding areas independently at your own pace before your return journey to the ship.

Walking Grade 3

Please Note: Standing and/or walking on this tour is mostly at your discretion over level terrain however we would suggest you should expect to walk approximately one mile to make the most of your visit. Some steps may also be necessary inside the museum depending on your chosen route; however, a lift is available to most areas if required.

4½ hours

Travel from your ship by coach with your local historical expert Ruud de Bie. Born in Arnhem and still living there to this day, Ruud has become an expert in Operation Market Garden and the role of the city in World War Two. He, along with four other volunteers, actively participates in a continuing project to locate and, where appropriate, recover the bodies of Airborne soldiers who are still missing. In his company you will head to your first stop, the Airborne Museum with commentary en route. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore independently and get a closer look at different artillery types including the Sherman tank, which stands on the same spot where it was left in battle.

Your next stop is the Airborne Cemetery, the final resting place of 1,748 allied troops, which accompanied by personal stories and photographs is sure to be a moving and inspirational experience. On the way back to your ship, you pass by the location for Operation Market Garden, which hosted the 2nd Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Frost in 1944. Here, with commentary from your local expert, you will gain insight into this four-day tragic event with overwhelming odds. As you continue to where the Allies took refuge in the old church in Oosterbeek you will see the monument honouring those who fought.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: Walking at the Airborne Museum is at your discretion over flat ground as you explore independently. At the Airborne Cemetery, you should expect to walk approximately 500 yards over grass. The Airborne Museum is explored at your own pace, so standing and/or walking is at your own discretion. Depending on your chosen walking distance during the museum visit you can expect this excursion to have a total standing and/or walking time of approximately two hours. The museum is split over multiple floors, however a lift is available to all areas if required. This excursion can also operate in reverse starting with the Airborne Cemetery visit and finishing with the Airborne Museum, it also includes detailed information about conflict including images of war which some may consider graphic.

4 hours

Dive into the most interesting facets of Cologne's past and present on this guided tour through history. First, you will see the grand exterior of Cologne Cathedral, recognised as a UNESCO-listed site in 1996. During independent time later, you may choose to go inside for a glimpse into the Roman’s previous love for ornate and intricate architecture.

Then it’s time to venture into the medieval Old Town, home to characteristic churches, guilds and merchant’s houses. Stroll past the town hall and the Romanesque St Martin Church and see Cologne’s modernised and urban development. Many parts of the city have undergone a long period of restoration following heavy bombing during World War Two and it is now a diverse metropolitan city which celebrates art, culture and history and is popular with tourists and locals alike.

After your guided walk you will return to your waiting ship or, depending on your cruise itinerary, it may be possible for you to remain in the centre to explore further independently.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles over mostly flat ground. On the way to the Alter Markt, there is a gentle incline with some cobblestones. If a coach transfer is required for this excursion due to a less central docking location, it will add approximately 45 minutes to the overall excursion duration.

1½ hours

Immerse yourself in the charm of Cologne on a guided walk and enjoy a taste of the city’s iconic Kölsch beer. Dependant on your ship's berth you will either depart directly on foot or with a short coach transfer into the city centre. Led by a local guide, your tour will start with a stroll past some of Cologne’s most iconic sights, including the Gothic Cologne Cathedral and picturesque Old Town, as you head towards your first stop. As you walk, your guide will share stories of Cologne’s culture and the connections between the city and its beer-brewing traditions. 

On arrival at the brewhouse, make a short stop to enjoy a local beer (or non-alcoholic beverage if you prefer), while your guide will share more of the history of Cologne's brewing traditions. Your tour will continue with two further brewhouse stops, with a drink served at each. After experiencing this true taste of Cologne, stroll with your guide back to the ship.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles at a relaxed pace over mostly flat ground. On the way to the Alter Markt, there is a gentle incline with some cobblestones. There is a total required walking/standing time of approximately one-and-a-half hours with frequent extended stops. Non-alcoholic refreshments are also available on this tour if preferred.

2½ hours

Disembarking the ship, you will start by boarding the Land Train for a short relaxing journey through the pretty streets of Rüdesheim. After enjoying the passing vistas of this small wine town, get ready for a musical tour through Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum, home to the world's largest collection of immersive self-playing instruments.

Accompanied by a guide, you will be shown some of the most beautiful musical pieces spanning three centuries, from music boxes to concert piano orchestrions, all presented to you in a humorous and curious way. You will also experience the music of the "Admiral 2", dating back to 1910 and fully restored, it is now the largest instrument in the collection.

Finally, head next door to meet a local vinter and have the chance to sample three regional wines with a guided tasting. After your tour you will return to the ship via the Land Train or you may choose to take further time to explore the famous Drosselgasse before making your own way back to your waiting ship.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: Expect to walk approximately 250 yards in total over flat ground with a total standing and/or walking time of approximately 45 minutes. Inside the Museum of Mechanical Music there are a number of stairs which are narrow in places. A lift is available if required and there are regular opportunities to be seated. Due to the age of the building there are also some uneven floors. This tour includes travel by land train which can occasionally be bumpy and therefore may be unsuitable for those with back and/or neck problems. This tour may also operate in reverse with the wine tasting taking place before the museum visit.

2½ hours

Boarding the Land Train directly from your ship, this tour is perfect for those who prefer to explore at a leisurely pace. Climb aboard, sit back and relax as you enjoy a short scenic journey through the cobbled streets of Rüdesheim, with commentary provided. 

Then, stop in the heart of the Old Town and alight for approximately one-and-a-half hours of free time. From the Land Train drop off you will be just a short stroll from the famous Drosselgasse, a charming street lined with quaint bars and welcoming taverns, the perfect place to sample a traditional Rudesheimer coffee. 

From here you can also admire the Glockenspiel chimes on the Bell Tower of the Rudesheimer Schloss, which ring out a charming melody on the hour. After your free time you will rejoin your Land Train for the return journey to the ship.

Walking Grade 2

Please note:

2½ hours

Depart your ship on foot for this guided walking tour of Mainz, a fascinating city that boasts more than 2,000 years of history. Stroll with your expert local guide to the pretty streets of the Old Town, which is home to one of the city's most famous landmarks Mainz Cathedral. With its "Domgebirge" (Cathedral Mountains) it has shaped the cityscape here for over 1000 years.

Then stroll on past medieval houses and storefronts to the outside of the Gutenberg Museum, a building dedicated to the work of one of Mainz's most famous former inhabitants, Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of movable type and book printing.

At the end of your tour your guide will accompany you as you stroll back to your waiting ship, or alternatively, if your cruise itinerary permits, you may choose to stay in the centre to explore further independently.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-half to two miles in total over flat ground which will be cobbled in places with the possibility of some steps. There will be total standing and/or walking time of approximately two hours.

2 hours